What is the best way to clean a very dirty ,short stem, Pork Pie table lamp tank (the outside) i want to get the crud and dirt & spilt kero off the tank without removing or damaging the paint. Im worried if i soak the tank the sticker might peal off along with the paint. Also the bottom fold around the tank base of the rim is full of crud, how do i clean this with out damage to the old paint...... Also i want to clean the stem, but still keep it original, best way to do this with out making it look to clean. I don’t want to lose the sticker if possible or remove and damage the old paint, that fold on the tank area is full of rubbish, and some weird white deposits on the bottom tank, not sure what that is or weather it can be removed. Ideas please on cleaning up the tank but still leaving it original. Thankyou in advance
For careful cleaning jobs, where I want to keep old transfers, I use “ArmorAll” car interior cleaner (pump spray in black plastic bottle) and a soft cloth. I make sure the transfer is covered and deal with it last. I use a toothbrush for the crud. Tony
On my own pork pie, I found a dental pick does a good job of lifting the cruft out of the tank rim- a bit of bent wire would probably work as well
Could i use 0000 steel wool with warm soapy water and go over the tank gently, or could this possibly remove the paint. I have quite a few porkpie table lamps that i want to clean that have decades of dust and grime thats built on the tank. I still would like to preserving the original paint underneath keeping it clean but still original. Any tips i can try, or not to try please. Kind Regards Darren
@Kiwiboy00 Before you go to the 0000, try a microfibre cloth, and gentle elbow grease. Remember that the paint is probably only microns thick. Cheers Tony
